The Miami Heat and Orlando Magic meet Wednesday in NBA action at the Kia Center. Here’s a Magic vs Heat Prediction. This article will include a Magic vs Heat Pick.
Miami Heat Betting Preview
The Miami Heat won 37 games last season and are looking for their first playoff series win since the 2022-23 season. The Heat have lost in the first round in 3 of the last 5 games.
The Heat have the stability of coach Erik Spoelstra, and there’s an all-star caliber duo of Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo. The Heat will get full seasons of Davion Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins, while the addition of Norman Powell is intriguing given the way he played last season. It will be interesting to see how Kel’el Ware comes along after a strong rookie season. Nikola Jovic got his contract and Pelle Larsson has shown promise in a limited role. There’s some upside with the Heat if some of the others can get rolling. However, the Heat continues to strike out in terms of adding a real difference maker, and that could lead to another mediocre season.
Orlando Magic Betting Preview
The Orlando Magic won 41 games last season and look for their first playoff series win since the 2009-10 season. The Magic haven’t made the playoffs in 3 straight years since the 2011-12 season.
The Magic have one of the most underrated duos in Franz Wagner and Paolo Branchero, the faces of the franchise and guys capable of leading the way. Jalen Suggs has emerged as the glue guy and solid two-way player, while Wendell Carter Jr. is a respectable young center. Desmond Bane brings much needed shooting to the Magic and will space the floor for others. Tyus Jones adds playmaking and scoring off the bench, which is nice given the Magic’s offensive droughts at times. The Magic have potential to make a run in the wide open east, but this is also a franchise that’s had no recent playoff success, so you don’t want to get overconfident just yet.
Why the Orlando Magic will win
- The Magic have won each of their last eight night games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have lost each of their last four games.
- The Magic have covered the spread in seven of their last eight night games against Southeast Division opponents.
- The Heat have failed to cover the spread in each of their last four season openers against Southeast Division opponents.
Why the Miami Heat will win
- The underdogs have won three of the last four games between the Heat and Magic.
- The Magic have lost four of their last five games.
- The road team has covered the spread in seven of the Heat’s last eight games.
Total Points Facts
- Eight of the Heat’s last nine night games have gone OVER the total points line.
- Each of the Magic’s last four home openers against Eastern Conference opponents have gone OVER the total points line.
Magic vs Heat Injury Report
The Heat will be without Tyler Herro and Kasparas Jakucionis. Kel’el Ware is questionable with neck and ankle issues.
The Magic will be without Moritz Wagner due to a knee injury. Jalen Suggs is questionable with a knee injury.
Magic vs Heat Prediction
There seems to be a lot of hype around the Magic, an up-and-coming team that should have its eyes on a wide open east. Oddsmakers clearly agree. However, this line is a bit steep. Even without Herro, the Heat is a well coached team that made upgrades this offseason. Orlando is also a second home for Miami, often packed with Heat fans. The Heat have won 6 of the last 9 games against the Magic. Also, the Magic don’t score consistently enough to be laying these sorts of numbers. I’m going to grab the points with the Heat on opening night.